Improvement in grain-decorticators



ZSheets-SheetL S. DODSON.

GRAIN DECORTICATOR. -No.169,426. Patented Nov. 2, 1875.

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S. DODSON.

GRAIN DIECORTICATOR. No. ISQAZG, Patented Nov. 2,1875.

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fsrnAs DODSON, on ROCHESTER, New YORK."

IMPROVEMENT. IN GRAIN-DECORTICATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,426, dated November 2, 1875; application filed April 15, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SILAS DonsoN, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinery for Decorticating Grain, of which the following is a specification My invention relates to that class of machines in which the grain is decorticated by being thrown, by centrifugal motion, forcibly against a motionless grit or sandstone surface; 'and the improvements I have made therein consist in the features of construction and combination hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of a decorticator embracing my invention. Fig. 2 represents a horizontal cross-section of the same at the surface of one of the stones. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the interior surface of one of the air-passages L M, showing the adjustable dampers P and their attendant openings. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the disk B and hopper O.

Within a frame-work, B. R R, a suitable number of circular stones, A A, are fixed. The lower surfaces of these stones are dressed, to afford them a pitch from the center upward to the periphery of about ten degrees, and they are further provided with central openings of a size to admit of the free passage of the grain through them, and around the vertical shaft. Upon a vertical shaft, S, are fixed, beneath each stone, cast-metal disks B, their upper surfaces bearing a general pitch of about twice the number of degrees given the lower face of the stone. This face is ridged, ringed, or otherwise roughened, to prevent the too rapid travel of the grain to its circumference. Afiixed to the uppersurface of each stone, below the upper one, is a hopper, with its periphery abutting against the circular gauze jacket I, to receive the overflow of grain from the disk B, and conduct it to the center of the next stone A. Surrounding the stones, disks, and hopper is a wire gauze jacket, I, and at a proper distance from this, and inclosing an annular air space, is a solid jacket of sheet metal, K, fitted on opposite sides with inclosed air-passages L Mthe pasin gs between each disk and stone, are arranged openings fitted with adjustable covers or dampers P. The air is supplied through the dampers P in the passage L, drawn across to the dampers P in M, carrying with it the dust.

In a continuation of the casing, extending upward above the stone A, isv placed a fan, F, suitably incased, the case provided with a central opening from the passage M for the admission of air, and an opening, X, for its exit. D is a flume, for conducting the grain to the first stone, and E another, for its final passage from the machine. Y is the yoke upon which the shaft S rests, and is adjustable by means of the nut T and screw J. The arrows show the direction of the air to and from the fan.

I am aware that machines for this or a similar purpose have been constructed having stationary hoppers; also, that the application of concentric ridges to a dished disk is not new; also, that the decortication of grain by its continued forcible propulsion against a surface of stone or grit, whether permanent or in motion, is'an old and well-known means of application. But in the cases coming under my knowledge the ridged disks have been stationary, and, in some instances, fitted with perforations in the bottoms of the ridges for the passage of grain or the admission of air; therefore I do not claim these.

am also aware that it has been proposed to employ fixed and revolving stone and metallic surfaces in such juxtaposition that they should have a scouring efiect on the grain by a rubbing or frictional action, so as thereby to loosen and remove the smut and dust; but in the deoorticating of grain or removing the outer cuticle and refuse ends by the forcible stroke, blow, or impact of the berry against a stone face, a difierent operation is carried on,

and a different effect produced. Hence, I arrange my adjacent operative surfaces at such distance apart that the grain will not be rubbed between the two, but will be forcibly hurled or thrown from one to and against the other.

I claim- 1. In a machine for decorticating grain, the

combinationof .a non-revolvinghstone A and cast-metal annnlarly --ribbed revolving disk B,

' relatively arranged substantially as set forth,

whereby the grain shall be subjected to a percussive action on the stone, as distinguished from a rubbing action between the stone and disk. f

2. Anon-revolvin g grain-decorticating stone,

A, dressed on its loweropenative vface ,to the form of an inverted frustum of a cone, in combination with the revolving disk B, made with a pitch in its r pper face in excess of that oi the operative face of the stone, substantially as =-set-- forth.

"3. In combination with the jackets I and K, air-passages L and M, and the inclosed stones,

disks, and hoppers, and the fan F, the openings into the air-passages L and with their :w-adjustable -coverssor dampers P as shown and.

described.

SILAS DODSON. Witnesses G. E. PALMER, A. MANDEVILLE. 

